parents: Race Archetype, Game Design Pattern
The Multiple Paths Race is a Game Design Pattern where players pursue multiple, often conflicting, goals. It is an evolution of the basic Race Archetype.
Benefits
- Supports Diversity Playstyle: Allows for different playstyles, leading to Emergent Gameplay.
- Increases Replayability: Encourages experimentation with different paths to victory.
- A player might pursue a domination victory in Civilization in one game and a science victory in the next.
- Creates Memorable Stories: Conflicting goals create tension and memorable player narratives.
Examples
- Civilization: Offers distinct victory conditions (e.g., Science, Culture, Domination) that function as different race tracks, but only one player wins.
- Mahjong: Multiple winning hands with different values create different race paths.
- EFT-like: A prime example of divergent goals, where survival, looting, and fighting create a complex web of competing priorities.